People here are very laid back and the feeling is contagious! We managed to go three days without a cup of coffee didn't seem to mind. You hear the words "Hakuna Matata" everywhere. Literally. Internet services down nationwide all day? Hakuna Matata... Flights cancelled? Hakuna Matata... Two hours in wall-to-wall rush hour traffic in Kampala? Hakuna Matata... In the Mukono District, about an hour outside of Kampala, Uganda, we … [Read more...]
A Few Words about Tanzania
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Kigoma, Tanzania. Actually, we never even made it to Kigoma. Precision Air, one of only two airlines that flies to the remote region, had just suspended all flights for the next several weeks and the other airline was all booked. No worries, we headed to Zanzibar instead... Everywhere you look in Zanzibar there's a bounty of fresh vegetables, fruit, and spices. One of the "Spice Islands"-a group of … [Read more...]
How to Stay Around the World for Free
Let's take a wild guess - you'd take to take a lot more vacations each year if they didn't cost so much, right? And however good a deal you get on flights, or accommodations, the ensuing taxes and extra charges are often times a killer. But it is possible to stay for free. You won't get any five star hotels, but if you're all for experiencing a different culture rather than sticking to your own, only with a nicer beach, then you should love … [Read more...]
Magical Maui
Magical Maui. While Maui is a fairly small island (two peninsulas separated by a flat section) there is a rich diversity of attractions and activities to easily fill up a week. Maui is touristy yet Maui is not touristy - the contrasts between the different parts of the island are great. For those who enjoy the manufactured life on vacation including resorts, condos and or beach life with all the amenities and development should look immediately … [Read more...]
A Few Words About Kenya
Our entry begins in Maralal, Kenya, a place mostly known for its wildlife. And as we made the seven hour, bumpy trek from Nairobi-half of it on unpaved roads-we saw our fair share of water buffaloes, rhinos, impala, and giraffes. But we weren't here to go on safari. We were here to meet with a group of pastoralists-livestock keepers who had agreed to meet with us and talk about the challenges they face. Although most of these people don't have … [Read more...]
Introduction to Northern Napa Valley
The Napa Valley is anchored by Mt. St. Helena in the north and the city of Napa in the south. In between you find the towns of Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, and Yountville. These towns are spread out throughout the valley along Highway 29 (which is the main road through Napa Valley on the west side of the valley). The distance from the city of Napa in the south to Calistoga in the north is about 26 miles. The valley is narrow as it … [Read more...]
1,000 Words About Malawi
We spent a couple of amazing days in Lilongwe, Malawi - although it was cut short because we took an emergency flight back to Canada for the funeral of Bernard's grandmother (by the time you are reading this, we are back in Africa). We arrived after a long journey that started in Kampala, Uganda -- and there's nothing better than arriving somewhere new and having a great place to crash (at only $30 a night for a double). What makes a good … [Read more...]
The Insanity-Producing, Migraine-Inducing Experiences of trying to Travel The World on a Thailand Passport with your American Husband
Oh the joys of trying to visit countries with a Thailand passport. While not the lowest of the low, trying to visit many countries around the world using a Thailand passport is about scraping the bottom of the barrel and is about as difficult as it gets. My wife is from Thailand and until she can get USA citizenship these are some of the fun times we have experienced trying to travel. We either try to apply for a tourist or transit visas … [Read more...]
Urban Farming in Kibera
Originally posted as a two part series on the Worldwatch Institute's Nourishing the Planet blog. Part I: Vertical Farms: Finding Creative Ways to Grow Food in Kibera Driving through the crowded streets of Kibera, it's nearly impossible to describe how many people live in this area of about 225 hectares, the equivalent of just over half the size of Central Park in Manhattan. Everywhere you look there are people. People walking, people … [Read more...]
BorderJumping Ethiopia! One farmer teaches by example…
We met Kes Malede Abreha, described by our guides/interpreters as a "farmer-priest," on his farm near Aksum, Ethiopia in the Central Zone of Tigray region. A small, wiry, soft-spoken man with a neatly trimmed beard, Kes Malede is one of the leading "farmer-innovators" in his community. Roughly eight years ago, he started digging for water on his very dry farm. His neighbors thought he was crazy, telling him he would never find water on the site. … [Read more...]
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